Back-to-school means back to traffic jams

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Thursday is the first day of public and parochial schools and that means, after a long summer break, that Staten Island roads will again be filled with school traffic in the morning and mid-afternoon for dismissal.

Drivers can expect to see dozens of yellow school buses out on the roads. A gentle reminder: The law requires drivers to stop behind any school bus with its lights flashing and Stop arm extended. It is also illegal to make U-turns within a school zone.

The Advance will be tracking traffic hotspots and posting major delays and what to look out for. If you hit a traffic trouble spot, feel free to let us know, and send us a photo too.

8:00 a.m. -- Victory Boulevard a traffic mess

Victory Boulevard is a traffic mess, from the intersection of Slosson Avenue around PS 29 and St. Teresa's School, as well as the approach to the College of Staten Island entrance past Willowbrook Road. The college is doing major construction on its loop road that encircles the campus, contributing to the overspill traffic along Victory.

7:30 a.m. -- Narrows Road North at the Clove Road overpass

Traffic is swelled by school buses along Narrows Road approaching the Clove Road overpass in Sunnyside.